Bicycle wheel quick release assembly

ABSTRACT

A quick release assembly for a bicycle wheel that includes a pair of heads disposed at generally opposite ends of a skewer rod. One of the heads includes a cam surface that is translatable relative to the head. The quick release includes an operator having a handle portion and a stem portion. The stem portion includes a cam that cooperates with the cam surface formed in one of the heads such that operation of the handle alters the distance between the heads from a first orientation wherein the heads secure a wheel to a bicycle, a second orientation wherein the heads loosely secure the wheel to the bicycle and a third orientation wherein the wheel assembly can be freely removed from the bicycle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to bicycles and, moreparticularly, to a quick release assembly for securing a wheel to abicycle such that the wheel can be removed and connected to a bicyclewithout the use of tools or the like.

Traditionally, the wheels of a bicycle are secured to the frame via anaxle or skewer rod that passes through a hub of the wheel and cooperateswith corresponding structure of the frame. Occasionally, the wheelassemblies require servicing such as the changing of a tire or the like.It is readily appreciated that replacing a bicycle tire requiresdisengaging at least one side of the wheel assembly from the adjacentframe of the bicycle. Commonly, do in part to the awkwardness ofmanipulating a bicycle by a wheel, it is often more convenient to removethe wheel assembly entirely from the bicycle to perform such servicing.It is also readily appreciated that such service or repair activitiesare often presented at the most inopportune times and places. That is,when ride performance is being monitored or inclement weather arises,the need for quick wheel repair can affect performance and/or rideenjoyment.

Others, having recognized the desire to quickly and efficiently remove,repair, and reinstall a bicycle wheel, have provided a litany of wheelretention systems intended to simplify the process of removing andreinstalling a bicycle wheel. An early solution to this problem was theintroduction of slotted fork dropouts. The slotted dropouts cooperatewith an axle or skewer rod of the wheel assembly such that, with slightloosening of a retention system, the wheel assembly could be removedfrom the bicycle without fully separating the respective components ofthe wheel assembly. Although such systems enhanced the ease with whichthe wheel assembly could be removed from the bicycle, such systems alsocommonly required access to various tools to effectuate operation of theretention system.

To overcome the necessity of always having tools at the ready foroperating the release system, others have provided tool-less retentionsystems. Such systems commonly include a lever that extends from a headmember of the release system and which is operable to loosen theretention system. However, it was recognized that unintentionalloosening of the retention mechanism due to road vibration orinadvertent contact with the lever would result in the detrimentalconsequence of the undesired separation of the wheel assembly from thebicycle. Understandably, such an event would be particularly problematicduring use of the bicycle.

To ensure that a wheel assembly could not be removed from a bicyclewithout user interaction with the retention system, many prior artdevices include a redundant retention system. The redundant retentionsystem maintains some form of interaction of the wheel assembly and thebicycle independent of the position of the primary retention means. Thatis, even though the individual components of the primary retentionsystem are in a position wherein the wheel assembly should otherwisedisengage from the bicycle frame, the redundant retention systemrequires separate operation. Typically, such bicycle wheel quick releasesystems require concurrent manipulation and orientation of a number ofindividual parts of the release mechanism, the wheel assembly, and theredundant retention mechanism to effectuate removal of the wheelassembly from the bicycle. Accordingly, such quick release systemscommonly require two hands to facilitate removing and reinstalling thewheel assembly.

Commonly, the rider must concurrently interact with both the left-handand the right-hand sides of the wheel assembly. The concurrent inactionof the user with both sides of the wheel assembly generally demands thatthe user must be radially aligned with the wheel assembly such that anarm generally flanks each side of the wheel assembly. Such a requirementsubstantially limits the orientations that are available for the riderto effectuate a wheel servicing procedure. Such a requirement can alsotest the dexterity and flexibility of many riders.

Therefore, there is a need for a bicycle wheel quick release assemblythat includes a redundant retention feature and which can be operated bya single hand of an operator to effectuate removal of the wheelassembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a bicycle wheel quick release assemblythat overcomes one or more of the aforementioned drawbacks. One aspectof the invention is directed to a wheel quick release assembly thatincludes a first head portion and a second head portion secured togenerally opposite ends of a skewer. A cam surface is formed in thefirst head portion. A cam profile is formed on a portion of a shaft thatextends from a handle. The cam profile of the shaft is aligned with thecam surface formed in the first head. The cam profile is configured tocooperate with the cam surface such that the shaft is rotatable betweena first position and a second position. When located in the firstposition, the first and second head portions are spaced to secure theskewer to a bicycle. When the handle is located in the second position,the first and second head portions are spaced such that the skewer canpass freely, or uninterruptedly, from the bicycle.

Another aspect of the present invention includes a bicycle wheelretention system having a rod constructed to pass through a hub of abicycle wheel. A first head and a second head are attached to first andsecond ends of the rod, respectively. The system includes a stemconfigured to be received in a recess that is formed in the first head.The stem has a shape that cooperates with the recess such that rotationof the stem about an axis that is generally normal to a longitudinalaxis of the rod alters a distance between the first head and the secondhead. The stem and recess cooperate so as to provide a tactileindication of an orientation of the first and second heads relative toone another.

A further aspect of the invention that is related to the above aspectsincludes a method for providing a quick release connection between abicycle wheel and a bicycle frame. The method includes providing askewer rod having a pair of head portions constructed to cooperate withdropouts of a bicycle. One of the heads is provided with a releaseassembly having an operable handle that is rotatable between a firstposition, a second position, and a third position. When the handle islocated in the first position, the head portions are positioned tosecure the bicycle wheel to the bicycle frame. When the handle islocated in the second position the head portions are loose but retainedto the bicycle frame. When the handle is in the third position, the headportions can pass freely from the bicycle frame.

Yet another aspect of the present invention that can be combined withone or more of the above aspects is providing the cam surface in a body,or shuttle body, that is lateral translatable, or slidable, relative tothe respective head portion.

Another aspect combinable with one or more of the above aspects includesa biasing means disposed between the shuttle body and the head.Preferably, the biasing means is a spring that biases the shuttle bodyin a direction which reduces the distance between the respective heads.

Another aspect useable with one or more of the above aspects is to formthe cam profile as a tri-lobed cam. Another aspect is to offset the camprofile relative to an axis of rotation of the shaft.

Another aspect of the present invention that is combinable with one ormore of the above aspects includes providing the second head as a firstportion and a second portion that are independently adjustable relativeto the skewer to define a distance between the first head portion andthe second head portion when the handle is located in a positionassociated with the quick release being closed and locked. Anotherfeature of this aspect of the invention includes a set screw thatinteracts with the first and second portion of the second head to definea position of the second head relative to the skewer rod.

It is appreciated that the aspects and features of the inventionsummarized above are not limited to any one particular embodiment of theinvention. That is, many or all of the aspects above may be achievedwith any particular embodiment of the invention. Those skilled in theart will appreciate that the invention may be embodied in a mannerpreferential to one aspect or group of aspects and advantages as taughtherein. These and various other aspects, features, and advantages of thepresent invention will be made apparent from the following detaileddescription and the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings illustrate preferred embodiments presently contemplated forcarrying out the invention.

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a bicycle equipped with a wheel quickrelease assembly according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a hub portion of the front wheelassembly of the bicycle shown in FIG. 1 and taken along line 2-2;

FIG. 3 is a perspective exploded view of the quick release assemblyshown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 a partial cross-sectional view of the quick release assemblyshown in FIG. 3 taken along line 4-4 in FIG. 2 with the lever positionedto provide a closed and locked interaction between the quick release andthe bicycle;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 with the lever positioned to providea closed and retained interaction;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIGS. 4 and 5 with the lever positioned toprovide an open and not retained configuration of the quick releaseassembly;

FIG. 7 shows an exploded view of an adjustable head portion of a quickrelease assembly according to the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a perspective assembled view of the portion of the quickrelease assembly shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 9-9 shown in FIG. 8;and

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the assembly shown in FIG. 7 andtaken along a plane generally perpendicular to the view shown in FIG. 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 shows a bicycle 10 equipped with a wheel quick release assembly12 according to the present invention. Bicycle 10 includes a seat 14that is slidably attached to a frame 16. A seat post 18 is connected toseat 14 and slidably engages a seat tube 20 of frame 16. A top tube 22and a down tube 24 extend forwardly from seat tube 20 to a head tube 26of frame 16. A handlebar or handlebar assembly 28 is connected to a stemtube 30 that passes through head tube 26 and engages a fork crown 32.The position of handlebar assembly 28 is fixed relative to stem tube 30and fork crown 32 such that handlebar assembly 28 and fork crown 32rotate together relative to head tube 26.

A pair of forks 34, 36 extend from generally opposite ends of fork crown32 and are constructed to support a front wheel assembly 38 at an end ofeach fork or fork tip 40. Fork tips 40 cooperate with generally oppositesides of quick release assembly 12 so as to secure a hub 44 of frontwheel assembly 38 to bicycle 10. A number of spokes 46 extend betweenhub 44 and a rim 48 of front wheel assembly 38. A tire 50 is engagedwith rim 48 such that rotation of tire 50, relative to forks 34, 36,rotates rim 48 and hub 44. Handlebar assembly 28 is connected to bicycle10 such that side-to-side rotation of the handlebar assembly 28 rotateswheel assembly 38 relative to a longitudinal axis of bicycle 10 therebysteering bicycle 10.

Frame 16 includes a seat stay pair 52 and a chain stay pair 54 thatoffset an axis of rotation 58 of a rear wheel assembly 60 from acrankset 62. Crankset 62 includes a pair of pedals 64 that isoperationally connected to a chain 66 via a chain ring or sprocket 68.Rotation of chain 66 communicates a drive force to a rear section 70 ofbicycle 10. A gear cluster is positioned at rear section 70 andcooperates with chain 66. Gear cluster 72 is generally concentricallyorientated with respect to axis 58 and includes a number of variablediameter gears.

Gear cluster 72 is operationally connected to a hub 74 of rear wheelassembly 60. A number of spokes 76 extend radially between hub 74 and arim 78 of rear wheel assembly 60. As is commonly understood, rideroperation of pedals 64 drives chain 66 thereby driving rear wheelassembly 60 which in turn propels bicycle 10. It is appreciated that theforegoing description of bicycle 10 is merely exemplary of a bicycle foruse with the present invention. It is appreciated that bicycle 10 couldbe provided in any of a number of configurations including thoseconfigurations commonly referred to as street bikes, off-road ormountain bikes, hybrids of these types of bicycles, or other pedaldriven vehicle configurations. It is further appreciated that, althoughthe forthcoming description is directed to a quick release assemblyassociated with a front wheel assembly, bicycle 10 could include asecond quick release assembly associated with rear wheel assembly 60.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of front wheel assembly 38 taken alongline 2-2 shown in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 2, each of spokes 46 includesa first end 80 that is secured to a respective flange 82, 84 of hub 44.A second end 86 of each spoke 46 is connected to rim 48. Flanges 82, 84of hub 44 extend radially outward from a central portion 88 of hub 44.Central portion 88 of hub 44 is tube shaped and forms a passage 90 thatis constructed to accommodate the passage of an axle 92 and a rod orskewer 93 through hub 44. Skewer 93 passes through a cavity 94 formedthrough axle 92 such that hub 44, axle 92, and skewer 93 are generallyconcentric with respect to one anther.

Opposite ends 96, 98 of skewer 93 pass beyond respective flanges 82, 84of hub 44 and cooperate with fork tips 40 of forks 34, 36. Specifically,ends 96, 98 of skewer 93 cooperate with dropouts 104, 106 of forks 34,36, respectively. A head assembly or first and second heads 108, 110 areengaged with respective ends 96, 98 of skewer 93. Heads 108, 110cooperate with dropouts 104, 106 such that, as described further below,manipulation of a lever 112 by a user facilitates securing and removingwheel assembly 38 from bicycle 10.

Still referring to FIG. 2, axle 92 extends laterally across wheelassembly 38 from a first end 114 to a second end 116 of axle 92.Preferably, axle 92 does not extend beyond an outer surface 118 of eachof the respective flanges 82, 84 of hub 44. Alternatively, axle 92 couldbe configured to extend beyond flanges 82, 84 and directly engagedropouts 104, 106.

A bearing 120, 122 and an end cap 121, 123 are positioned at each ofends 114, 116 of axle 92. Each bearing 120, 122 includes an inner race124, a number of roller elements 126, and an outer race 128. Bearings120, 122 are maintained in a generally radially concentric orientationwith respect to hub 44, axle 92, and skewer 93. An optional spring 125,127 is associated with each end 96, 98 of skewer 93 and generally centerwheel assembly 38 relative to each head 108, 110 during removal andinstallation of wheel assembly 38. It is appreciated that the abovedescription of wheel assembly 38 is merely exemplary of wheel assembliesusable with the present invention. It is envisioned that quick releaseassembly 12 is usable with other wheel assemblies, such as wheels havingno end caps or end caps with other shapes and configurations disposedbetween the bearings and the dropouts. It is further understood thatquick release assembly 12 is applicable to wheel assemblies where one ormore of the axle and skewer interact with the dropouts or other bicycleframe features.

Referring to the left-hand side of quick release assembly 12 shown inFIG. 2, first head 108 of quick release assembly 12 includes a body orshuffle body 130 that is slidably received within a cavity 132 formed infirst head 108. First end 96 of skewer 93 includes a threaded portion134 that passes through an opening 136 formed in first head 108 andthreadably engages an opening or bore 138 formed in shuttle body 130.Alternatively, shuttle body 130 and skewer 93 could be formed asone-piece such that skewer 93 would non-removably extend from shuttlebody 130. A biasing means, such as a spring 140, extends about skewer 93between inboard facing surface 184 of shuffle body 130 and an inboardfacing end or side 142 of first head 108. As used herein, the termsinboard and outboard refer to the location of structures with respect toa longitudinal axis 131 (FIG. 1) contained in a laterally centered plane133 (FIG. 2) of bicycle 10. Inboard features are features located nearerthis axis whereas outboard structures are oriented in directions facingaway from this axis.

A passage 144 is formed through shuttle body 130. Passage 144 isconstructed to cooperate with a shaft or stem portion 146 of lever 112.A handle portion or handle 148 of lever 112 extends in a generallycrossing direction relative to stem portion 146. A seat portion 150 isformed on lever 112 generally between stem portion 146 and handleportion 148. Seat portion 150 cooperates with an opening 152 formed infirst head 108 such that lever 112 is generally rotatable relative tofirst head 108 about an axis 154 that passes though first head 108 andis generally perpendicular to a longitudinal axis 156 of skewer 93.

Stem portion 146 of lever 112 extends between seat portion 150 and athreaded portion 158 positioned proximate an end of lever 112. Threadedportion 158 is constructed to pass through a second opening 160 formedin first head 108. First and second openings 152, 160 are generallyaligned with one another and provide mounting points for the rotation oflever 112 relative to first head 108. A fastener 162 cooperates withthreaded portion 158 of lever 112 and opening 160 of first head 108 soas to maintain the desired axial orientation of lever 112 relative tofirst head 108 and with respect to axis 154.

It is appreciated that there are other alternatives for securing lever112 to head 108. For example, lever 112 can be attached to head 108 viaone or more relative geometries that axially associate lever 112relative to head 108. Alternatively, fastener 162 may be formed as oneof a rivet, a cotter pin, or a C-shaped type clip that cooperates with acorresponding structure, such as a hole, a passage, or a channel, whichis formed in lever 112. Regardless of the modality of the connection,preferably, lever 112 is pivotably connected to first head 108 such thatrotation of lever 112 yields lateral translation of skewer 93 relativeto head 108.

First head 108 includes an inboard facing surface or inboard face 164that cooperates with a projection 166 that extends from fork 34proximate dropout 104. As described further below, the interaction offace 164 with projection 166 provides redundant retention of quickrelease assembly 12 relative to bicycle 10 until it is desired to removewheel assembly 38 from bicycle 10.

Referring now to the right-hand side of the assembly shown in FIG. 2,second end 98 of skewer 93 includes a threaded portion 168 thatcooperates with second head 110. Second head 110 includes a firstportion or disk 170 and a second portion or disk 172. Similar to firsthead 108, first disk 170 of second head 110 includes an inboard face 174that cooperates with a projection 176 that extends from fork 36proximate dropout 106. First and second disks 170, 172 each include athreaded bore 178 that operatively cooperate with threaded portion 168of skewer 93 so as to define a position of second head 110 relative toskewer 93. It is further appreciated that inboard faces 164, 174 of eachof heads 108, 110 and projections 166, 176 could have virtually anyshape provided they cooperate in such a manner as to selectivelyinterfere with the removal of wheel assembly 38 from bicycle 10.

Although first and second disks 170, 172 could simply be counter-rotatedto abut one another and thereby define the position of second head 110relative to skewer 93, second disk 172 includes a second threaded bore180 that receives a set screw 182. Set screw 182 of second disk 172cooperates with first disk 170 so as to fix the position of first andsecond disks 170, 172 with respect to a longitudinal position of secondhead 110 relative to first head 108. As described further below, eitherconstruction allows quick release assembly 12 to be relatively easilyconfigured for operation with different bicycle constructions.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of quick release assembly 12. As shown inFIG. 3, threaded portion 134 of skewer 93 is constructed to cooperatewith the threaded bore 138 formed on an inboard facing side or surface184 of shuttle body 130. Spring 140 is displacable along the length ofskewer 93 such that it can be positioned in abutting engagement with theinboard facing surface 184 of shuttle body 130. Such positioningdisposes spring 140 proximate inboard facing side 142 of first head 108and inboard facing surface 184 of shuttle body 130. It is appreciatedthat quick release assembly 12 could include other biasing means, suchas a tension spring positioned on an opposite side of shuttle body 130,to bias shuttle body 130 in an outboard direction.

Once shuttle body 130 is positioned within cavity 132 of first head 108,threaded portion 158 and stem portion 146 of lever 112 can be passedthrough seat opening 152 of first head 108, passage 144 of shuttle body130, and opening 160 formed in first head 108. Threaded portion 148 oflever 112 extends beyond opening 160 of first head 108 for engagementwith fastener 162. The interaction of lever 112 with first head 108 andshuttle body 130 secures first head 108 proximate first end 96 of skewer93. First disk 170 and second disk 172 cooperate with threaded portion168 of skewer 93 and define a distance between inboard face 164 of firsthead 108 and inboard facing surface 192 of second head 110. Manipulatingset screw 182 allows first disk 170 and second disk 172 to be translatedrelative to threaded portion 168 of skewer 93. When a desired distancebetween first and second heads 108, 110 is attained, set screw 182 istightened and generates a wedging force between the threads of threadedbore 178 of first and second disks 170, 172 and threaded portion 168 ofskewer 93 thereby fixing the position of second head 110 relative toinboard facing side or surface 184 of shuttle body 130.

FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of quick release assembly 12 alongline 4-4 shown in FIG. 2. As show therein, passage 144 through shuttlebody 130 provides a cam surface 194 that interacts with a cam 196 formedby the cross-sectional shape of stem portion 146 of lever 112. Withsecond head 110 affixed to skewer 93, the outboard orientation of stemportion 146 relative to axis 154 maintains first head 108 and secondhead 110 at their nearest positions as indicated by distance 200.Distance 200 is associated with an orientation of first and second heads108, 110 wherein the heads 108, 110 engage nearby structure of thebicycle and maintain a wheel assembly in a locked and secured engagementwith bicycle 10. This association is also referred to as a closed andlocked position indicative of the position of lever 112 and the relativepositions of heads 108, 110 and their interaction with bicycle 10.Rotation of handle 148 of lever 112 in direction 202 translates cam 196in direction 204 about axis 154. This translation translates shuttlebody 130 in direction 206 against the bias of spring 140.

The distance between the inboard facing sides of first and second heads108, 110 is increased by the translation of shuttle body 130 in anoutboard direction relative to first head 108. Cam 196 includes a numberof lobes 208 and a number of lands 210 located between adjacent lobes208. Preferably, cam 196 is tri-lobed and shaped to cooperate with camsurface 194 so as to provide a tactile indication of the position of cam196 relative to cam surface 194. As shown in FIGS. 4-6, translation ofhandle 148 in direction 202 from a first, closed and locked position212, shown in FIG. 4, to a second, closed and retained position 214,shown in FIG. 5, translates cam 196 such that a land 210 cooperates withcam surface 194. The translation of the interface from a lobe 208 to aland 210 provides a tactile indication as to the relative position offirst and second heads 108, 110. Referring to FIG. 5, when handle 148 islocated in second position 214, the engagement of land 210 with camsurface 194 provides a second distance 216 between first head 108 andsecond head 110. Second distance 216 is indicative of an unlocked butclosed and retained association of quick release assembly 12 andadjacent bicycle structure. That is, although wheel assembly 38 may beloose, inboard faces 164, 174 of heads 108, 110 still interfere withstructure of dropouts 104, 106 so as to prevent the free translation ofthe wheel assembly relative to bicycle 10. Such a construction providesa secondary of redundant means of securing wheel assembly 38 to bicycle10.

When it is desired to remove wheel assembly 38 from bicycle 10, handle148 is rotated further in direction 202 and to such an extent that asubstantial portion of cam 196 of stem portion 146 is positioned inboardof axis of rotation 154. Such displacement provides a third, or open andunrestrained position 217 associated with a third distance 218 betweeninboard face 164 of first head 108 and inboard facing surface 192 ofsecond head 110. Third distance 218 is greater than both distances 200and 216. Preferably, distance 218 is selected to allow faces 164, 174 ofheads 108, 110 to be freely translatable relative to dropouts 104, 106.Accordingly, quick release assembly 12 allows single-handed operation ofthe quick release assembly 12 to effectuate both the loosening of awheel assembly and the removal of the wheel assembly from bicycle 10.That is, when handle 148 is rotated to provide third distance 218between first head 108 and second head 110, quick release assembly 12allows wheel assembly 38 in uninterruptible fashion relative to bicycle10 through user interaction with only handle 148.

The multi-lobed construction of cam 196, the cooperation of cam 196 withcam surface 194 of shuttle body 130, and the positioning of spring 140,ensures that quick release assembly 12 is biased toward the closed andlocked position 212 shown in FIG. 4. Cam 196 and cam surface 194 arefurther configured such that user interaction with handle 148 isrequired to overcome the bias of spring 140 to a degree sufficient toallow the uninterrupted translation of heads 108, 110 relative to thebicycle. Such a construction prevents the inadvertent orientation ofquick release assembly 12 in a position wherein the quick releaseassembly may disengage from bicycle 10.

FIGS. 7-10 show an operating side 248 of a quick release assembly 250according to another embodiment of the present invention. It should bereadily appreciated that assembly 250 provides an external cam assemblyas compared to the generally internal cam and follower or cam surfaceassociation associated with release assembly 12. As shown in FIG. 7,quick release assembly 250 includes a head 252 that cooperates with anend 254 of a skewer 256. A head generally similar to or the same assecond head 110 of assembly 12 cooperates with the opposite end ofskewer 256 such that variable lengths can be provided between therespective heads of the assembly. End 254 of skewer 256 passes throughan opening 258 formed in a body 260 of head 252 and engages a shuttlebody 262 that is movable relative to body 260. Generally opposite ends264, 266 of shuttle body 262 pass through generally elongated openings268, 270 formed in opposite sides of body to 60. Elongated openings 268,270 facilitate translation of shuttle body 262 relative to body 260 ofassembly 250. As described further below, the translation of shuttlebody 262 alters the distance between the inboard sides of the headspositioned at the generally opposite ends of skewer 256.

Shuttle body 262 is longer than the distance between elongated openings268, 270 such that ends 264, 266 of the shuttle body 262 extend beyondelongated openings 268, 270 and engaged respective openings 272, 274formed in a lever 276. Lever 276 includes a handle portion 278 and apair of arms 280, 282 that extend from handle portion 278. An opening ofchannel 284 is formed between arms 280, 282 and allows lever 276 toengage body 260 such that arms 280, 282 generally flank openings 268,270 of body 260.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, each arm 280, 282 includes a cam profile orcam 286, 288 that cooperates with a respective cam surface 290, 292positioned about each elongated opening 268, 270, respectively. Duringassembly, a spring 294 is disposed in a chamber 296 of body 260.Openings 272, 274 of lever 276 are generally aligned with elongatedopenings 268, 270 of body 260 such that shuttle body 262 can betranslated along its axis through the aligned openings 268, 270, 272,274. When shuttle body 262 is oriented relative to lever 276 and body260, end 254 of skewer 256 is engaged with an opening or threaded bore298 formed in shuttle body 262 thereby securing head 252 to quickrelease assembly 250. Understandably, other means of securing skewer 256to shuttle body 262, such as a fastener or other locking means, areenvisioned and within the scope of the claims. Alternatively, elongatedopenings 268, 270 could be provided with an open end such that skewer256 and shuttle body 262 could be provided as one body.

As shown in FIG. 8, cam 286 formed on upper arm 280 of lever 276cooperates with cam surface 290 formed on body 260 and cam 288 formed onlower arm 282 of lever 276 cooperates with cam surface 292 of body 260.The association of cams 286, 288 and cam surfaces 290, 292 translatesshuttle body 262 upon rotation of lever 276. Each cam surface 290, 292includes a pair of lips 302, 304 that generally flank a respective cam286, 288. As shown in FIG. 9, each cam 286, 288 includes a number oflobes 306 and a number of lands 308 disposed between adjacent lobes 306.Lobes 306 and lands 308 cooperate with lips 302, 304 such that rotationof lever 276, indicated by arrow 310, translates shuttle body 262relative to body 260 of head 252.

Similar to quick release assembly 12, translation of shuttle body 262relative to head 252 alters the length of skewer 256 that extendsbetween an inboard face 312 of head 252 and an inboard face of a headpositioned at an opposite end of skewer 256. Understandably, whenengaged with a bicycle, quick release assembly 250 cooperates with forksand redundant retention systems in a manner similar to that describedwith respect to assembly 12. Referring to FIG. 10, the cooperation ofcams 286, 288 with cam surfaces 290, 292, respectively, translatesshuttle body 262 along the elongated openings 268, 270 formed in body260 during rotation of lever 276. Shuttle body 262 and skewer 256translate along an axis of skewer 256, indicated by arrow 314, therebyaltering the distance between the inboard face 312 of head 252 and aninboard face of an opposite head. Similar to quick release assembly 12,quick release assembly 250 is operable to provide a closed and locked, aclosed and retained, and an open and not retained interaction of thequick release assembly 250 with a bicycle. Further and also similar toquick release assembly 12, quick release assembly 250 also facilitatessingle-handed interaction and manipulation of a wheel assembly.

Quick release assembly 12 and quick release assembly 250 each provide aquick release assembly that is both efficient and simple to operate aswell as simple to assemble and install. Each assembly also provides aquick release system that cooperates with the structure of a bicycle ina manner that cooperates with the redundant securing systems associatedwith the structure of the bicycle. It is further appreciated that quickrelease assemblies 12, 250 are exemplary of two possible cam and camsurface or follower orientations. Other cam and cam surface shapes areenvisioned and within the scope of the claims.

The present invention has been described in terms of the preferredembodiment, and it is recognized that equivalents, alternatives, andmodifications, aside from those expressly stated, are possible andwithin the scope of the appending claims. It is further appreciated thatthe respective features of any one of the embodiments discussed above isnot necessarily solely exclusive thereto.

1. A bicycle wheel quick release assembly comprising: a skewer; a firsthead portion and a second head portion secured to generally oppositeends of the skewer; a cam surface formed in the first head portion; ahandle having a shaft aligned with the cam surface; a cam profile formedon a portion of the shaft facing the cam surface, the cam profile beingtri-lobed and configured to cooperate with the cam surface such that theshaft is rotatable from a first position wherein the first and secondhead portions are spaced to secure the skewer to a bicycle and a secondposition wherein the first and second head portions are spaced such thatthe skewer can pass freely from the bicycle.
 2. A bicycle wheel quickrelease assembly comprising: a skewer; a first head portion and a secondhead portion secured to generally opposite ends of the skewer; a camsurface formed on a body that is slidably received in the first headportion; a biasing means disposed between the body and the first headportion; a handle having a shaft aligned with the cam surface; a camprofile formed on a portion of the shaft facing the cam surface, the camprofile configured to cooperate with the cam surface such that the shaftis uninterruptably rotatable from a first position wherein the first andsecond head portions are spaced to secure the skewer to a bicycle and asecond position wherein the first and second head portions are spacedsuch that the skewer can pass freely from the bicycle so that thebicycle wheel quick release assembly can be secured to and removed fromthe bicycle by manipulation of only the handle.
 3. The quick releaseassembly of claim 2 wherein the biasing means is a spring that biasesthe shaft to the first position.
 4. The quick release assembly of claim2 wherein the cam profile is tri-lobed.
 5. The quick release assembly ofclaim 2 wherein the skewer is configured to pass through a hub of awheel such that the first and second head portions are positioned ongenerally opposite sides of the wheel.
 6. The quick release assembly ofclaim 2 wherein the second head portion includes a first disk and asecond disk that are independently adjustable relative to the skewer todefine a distance between the first head portion and the second headportion when the shaft is in the first position.
 7. A bicycle wheelretention system comprising: a rod constructed to pass through a hub ofa bicycle wheel; a first head attached to a first end of the rod; asecond head attached to a second end of the rod; a recess formed in ashuttle body that is slidably received in a cavity of the first head; aspring that is received in the cavity and is captured between theshuttle body and the first head and extends toward the second headrelative to the shuttle body; and a stem extending from a handle andconfigured to be received in the recess, the stem having a shape thatcooperates with the recess such that rotation of the stem about an axisthat is generally normal to a longitudinal axis of the rod alters adistance between the first head and the second head so as to provide atactile indication of an orientation of the first and second headsrelative to one another and so that only manipulation of the handleallows the bicycle wheel to be secured to and fully removed from abicycle.
 8. The bicycle wheel retention system of claim 7 wherein thesecond head comprises a first disk and a second disk, each diskcooperating with the rod to determine a distance between the first headand the second head.
 9. The bicycle wheel retention system of claim 8wherein the second disk includes a set screw that engages the first diskand fixes a position of the first disk relative to the rod.
 10. Thebicycle wheel retention system of claim 7 wherein the stem includes acam that is offset from the axis of rotation of the stem.
 11. Thebicycle wheel retention system of claim 10 wherein the cam cooperateswith the recess to maintain the first head and the second head at asecured position, a loose position, and a removal position as the stemis rotated relative to the first head.
 12. A method for providing aquick release connection between a bicycle wheel and a bicycle frame,the method comprising the steps of: providing a skewer rod having a pairof head portions constructed to cooperate with dropouts of a bicycle;providing one of the head portions with a shuttle body and a releaseassembly having an operable handle that is rotatable between a firstposition wherein the head portions secure the bicycle wheel to thebicycle frame, a second position wherein the head portions are loose butretained to the bicycle frame, and a third position wherein the headportions can pass freely from the bicycle frame, each of the first,second, and third positions being achieved by manipulation of only thehandle relative to the one of the head portions; and biasing the shuttlebody to a location associated with the first position of the handle. 13.The method of claim 12 further comprising increasing a space between thepair of head portions as the handle is rotated from the first positionto the third position.
 14. The method of claim 12 wherein the bias isprovided by a spring positioned in a cavity formed in the head portionand constructed to slidably receive the shuttle body.
 15. The method ofclaim 12 further comprising forming a cam profile on a stem of thehandle and shaping the cam profile to cooperate with a shuffle elementhoused in the one of the head portions and which has a cam surfacedefined by a passage formed through the shuttle element.
 16. The methodof claim 12 further comprising forming a cam profile on the handle andshaping the cam profile to cooperate with a cam surface formed on theone of the head portions to translate a shuttle element that extendsthrough the one of the head portions and is engaged by the handle.